[SatNews] The launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying the MUOS-3 payload for the U.S. Navy is set to lift off on Tuesday, January 20 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 7:43 p.m. EST. Monday’s L-2 forecast shows a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

The third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite will ensure continued mission capability of the existing Ultra-High Frequency Satellite Communications (UHF SATCOM) system, and is the third satellite in the next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system that will provide significantly improved and assured communications for the mobile warfighter. The MUOS constellation will ultimately replace the current UHF SATCOM system, providing military users with 10 times more communications capac- ity over existing systems, including simultaneous voice (full-duplex) and data, leveraging 3G mobile communications technology.

The MUOS-3 satellite will be the heaviest payload to ride into space atop any of ULA’s Atlas V launch vehicles. The Atlas V will generate more than two and half million pounds of thrust at liftoff in order to meet the demands of lifting the nearly 7.5-ton satellite.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is proud to be a part of the deployment of the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite constellation.

From its vantage point in geostationary orbit, the MUOS-3 satellite will cover approximately a third of the Earth’s surface and uses its 14-meter diameter reflecting mesh antenna to communicate with ground-based users. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator.

The ULA team is focused on attaining Perfect Product Delivery for the MUOS-3 mission, which includes a relentless focus on mission success (the perfect product) and also excellence and continuous improvement in meeting all of the needs its customers (the perfect delivery).

The Mobile User Objective System will provide netcentric use of UHF SATCOM as well as the following enabling capabilities: